Arsenal had started the game with a bit of swish despite the absences, as illustrated when Mikel Merino and Declan Rice quickly combined to release the teenager. Nwaneri surged through on goal for a strike that went in under Bart Verbruggen’s arm. The goalkeeper might have done better. Nwaneri did superbly, in yet another sign of his promise.

Mikel Arteta has done a fine job since taking over at Arsenal in December 2019, but he’s come out with some bizarre excuses in that time. Being a Premier League manager is undoubtedly one of the most stressful jobs going and sometimes that becomes apparent during post-match interviews.

There are no depths that Mikel Arteta won’t sink to, rather than manning up and owning the defeat to Newcastle United at the Emirates. What an embarrassment he is as a manager. Always, always, full of excuses when Arsenal fail to win.